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KAPAIA — Waimea High School graduate Swede Sandblom was announced the recipient of the 2026 Kapaia Foundation scholarship during a lunchtime gathering Saturday with his family, including grandmother, Nancy Matsuda.“The Kapaia Foundation Scholarship was created to recognize the dreams of sugar plantation era immigrants for the success of their descendants,” said Kimo St.John of the Kapaia Foundation, which only recently changed its annual koinobori display at the historic swinging bridge for a giant American flag that waltzed through a nearly windless hot afternoon.“Born in 2008, Swede has no first-hand experience of living in Hawaii’s plantation era,” St.John said.“Yet, through stories passed on from his mother, Marissa Sandblom, and grandparents, Bobby and Nancy Matsuda, Swede understands and appreciates the impact of plantation days on our lives today.Following in the footsteps of his late Grandpa Bobby who spent most of his life working as a civil engineer at various sugar plantations on Kauai, Swede will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, or the University of Hawaii at Manoa.” Swede Sandblom said one of the biggest benefits of working for the plantation was housing.“Thanks to the plantations, my grandparents lived in two different houses in Kaumakani and another in Kekaha before finally settling down in Waimea,” he wrote in an essay he submitted for consideration of the award.“Whenever we drive past those houses, my mom will always point them out because those experiences helped to shape her.” “My grandpa built their family home, and finally finished it in 1989,” Sandblom said.“He used to tell me how the roof was made possible and put on thanks to the help of his father — my great-grandfather, Toshio Matsuda— a bunch of uncles who also worked for the plantation, and lots of friends and neighbors pulling together to make it happen.That’s what the plantation lifestyle was like back then; everyone was willing to lean in and help each other.Just as everyone helped my grandparents with their house, they were just as willing to help whenever others needed support or help, too.” Sandblom said the stories from his parents and grandparents made him realize that plantation workers had to work long and tiring hours of doing hard work, but they also had the opportunity to play hard, too — every now and again.“My grandpa has been one of the biggest influences in my life,” Sandblom said.“He was humble, hard-working, honest, and just an amazingly good person.Work was important, but family was everything.His work ethic and motto of doing things right the first time inspire me, and he’s one of the main reasons why I’m determined to follow in his footsteps and become an engineer.When he passed away recently, it was an incredibly difficult time.However, Uncle Bruce Hiraoka worked for my grandpa in the plantation days, and he shared with my family how much he respected my grandpa.Those memories helped our family tremendously, and go to show that while the plantation era has come and gone, its memories and impact will live on in all of us.” Similar to the memories Sandblom has, the Kapaia Foundation flew the 600 koinobori in recognition and remembrance of the 600 families that once lived in the Kapaia Valley and flew koinobori for the sons in their families.The koinobori is replaced by the singular giant American flag that is displayed with gratitude to all who serve (and served) our country.The Kapaia Foundation invites all to the open field that provides an opportunity to reflect on the many sacrifices that have been made for the freedom we enjoy today.The flag will be displayed through July 4.